Bangladesh conceded an eight-wicket defeat to England yesterday to continue their losing-trend in the Super 12 phase of the Twenty20 World Cup.
The Tigers put up a moderate 124-9 after opting to bat first at the Sheikh Jayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a score that looked below par. England however had to toil little to overhaul the target as they raced to the victory, making 126-2 in 14.1 overs.
By doing so, England won the first game between the two sides in this format. Opener Jason Roy was instrumental in the facile victory, smashing a 38 ball-61, studded with five fours and three sixes. Dawid Malan was unbeaten on 28 off 25, hitting three boundaries.
After posting a moderate total on the board, Bangladesh needed quick wickets to keep pressure on England. But Roy and his opening Jos Buttler denied Bangladesh any quick breakthrough or strangle the innings, by employing an aggressive brand of cricket right from the outset.
Using their feet well against the spinners, they gave the side a brisk start before Nasum Ahmed broke through with the wicket of Buttler who made a run-a-ball-18 with one four and one six.
Roy however kept treating the Bangladeshi bowlers with disdain and got an ably support from Dawid Malan. Shoriful Islam on his first appearance in the World Cup with senior team dismissed Roy when England were 13 runs away of the victory.
Jonny Bairstow joined Malan and comfortably negotiated Bangladeshi bowlers to sail the side home with plenty balls remaining.
For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim was the highest scorer for the side with 29 while captain Mahmudullah Riyad and lower order batsman Nasum Ahmed made identical 19 runs.
Most of the Bangladesh batters got their start in the side’s first meeting against England in T20 format of cricket but failed to carry on, largely due to the lack of proper execution of shot.
Bangladesh got a poor start with openers Liton Das (9) and Naim Sheikh (5) falling to offspinner Moeen Ali’s consecutive deliveries in the third over of the innings.
Liton however indicated a good start by hitting Moeen boundary twice in the first over but he got dismissed by clearing the boundary again while Naim played a lazy drive shot to dig his own graveyards.
England then went atop as fast bowler Chris Woakes removed Shakib Al Hasan for 4.
Mahmudullah joined Mushfiqur Rahim to repair the innings but Woakes, who returned figures of 1-12 in four overs, bowled in disciplined channel to stifle Bangladesh innings.
As the pressure grew up, Mahmudullah tried to break the shackle, only to be dismissed by Liam Livingstone.
Livingstone also took the prized scalp of Mushfiqur who hit three boundaries in his 30 ball-29. England kept the pressure on, leaving Bangladesh seven down before they went past 100.
Nasum surprisingly struck Adil Rashid for six twice in the last powerplay to help Bangladesh propel past 100 but Tymal Mills baffled Bangladesh lower order with slower deliveries to curb their aggression.
Mills ended with 3-27 while Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone scalped two wickets apiece.
